Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-23
The Power OF Corporations.
VIfI W UNI II IEA.I lIdy II Ico
To the Editor of the Gazette.


To the Editor of the Gazette.
We of course refer to this power, as
we see it, and recognize its strength and
influence within the states of this Union
1t is mainly the growth of the last twenty
years. Prior to 1860 the influences OF
this character were exceedingly light and
feeble compared with what they are to-
day. During the last three years of the
late war, and since its close, corporations
have sprung into existence and gradually
enhanced their power and influence until
to-day they are directing and controlling
the business interests of the country.
They are even directing the legislation of
the country, both state and national.
They are not only directing the legisla-
ton, but commanding it when in thsH
judgment it is necessary tor their success,
and forbidding it when in their Judgment
it will be detrimental to their interests
They direct, aye more, they originate and
give direction to the financial policy of
the government, and are masters ofsthe
natior's credit, controlling 1t alWsgs to
their own use and5beneft. They own and
control all, or nearly all, the facili-
ties for the interchange Of
the nations products, and by a
system of "pooling" hold the keys to the
commerce of the nation, and make it the
slave of their conscIenceIess will. They
have so possessed themselves with power
and influence over Congress and state
Legislatures, over executives and legis-
lators, over labor and commerce that
they are to-day "the powers" "that be"
whose smiles bestowed upon business
transactions, upon mems ambition and
upon partisan efforts is regarded as the
only sure omen of success, and whose
frown is the sign manual Of certain de-
feat.
Such, in brief, is the status
this country as we see it, and we Stud
der when we contemplate what may be
in store for US in the very near future,
unless this power is checked.
If this be the outgrowth of twenty
years of Republican rule in this govern
ment, what may we expect in the next
decade under the same rule?
But we are led to inquire-and seri-
ously, earnestly inquIre-by what pecu-
liar agency did they acquire this terrible
hold upon our material interests and by
what do they retain it, and continue to
grow III SGr60SlnI
There is but one solution of the whole
matter, degrading and dishonorable as it
Is, causing the red flush of shame to i'm
pale itself upon the cheek of every Amer
lean CT izen, as it must; casting stigma
upon individual sovereignty, as it does
Yet it were better, under the circum-
stances, to confess the truth, and admit
that money is at the bottom of it, and
that through money, It's base use and
application, honor has been dethroned
and the peoples representatives de-
bauched. And upon their ruin there has
been built up, fostered and sustained
power now Boosting of its
strength as even superior to the govern
ment itself. a power that is to-da, die
tatorial, naughty and insolent, because of
It's acknowledged superiority. A power
that is felt and feared in politics and in
business. A power that is catered to by
rich and poor, the high and low, because
its great arm of strength reaches out and
plays its part, in business, in society, in
politics and in religion everywhere and in
all directions Who among our people
have not felt it either for veal
or woe. Yes, the merchant
feels it, the manufacturer feefs it,
the laborer feels it, the iarmeFfeelss Its.
al feel 1t. A few only are brs8e enough,
honest enough, to acknowledge its pres
ence. And Why' Because they fear it,